Pu‘ukolohā Heiau National Historic Site

Pu‘ukolohā Heiau, built between 1790 and 1791, is situated on the north Kohala coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. According to the National Park Service (NPS), "Pu'ukohola Heiau, one of the last major temples built in the Hawaiian Islands, was constructed by Kamehameha the Great... Arguably one of the greatest leaders in Hawaiian History, Kamehameha became the first person to unite the warring islands into the Kingdom of Hawai'i. Pu'ukohola Heiau played a crucial role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands, for Kamehameha built the temple as a result of a prophecy that came through a priest named Kapoukahi. This kahuna, or priest, told Kamehameha that if he were to build a heiau on the hill known as Pu'ukohola, and dedicate it to his family’s war god Kuka'ilimoku, he would be able to conquer all of the islands." Please visit the NPS Pu‘ukolohā Heiau website for more information on this fascinating place.

Sited and designed by Mason Architects of Honolulu, Hawaii, the National Historic Landmark visitor center is a beautiful example of "green", culturally sensitive design and construction.